Women on call for the Army

The Army's only female chaplain flies out to Iraq this month, but the powers-that-be are hoping she will be the first of many women to serve in such a capacity.

At the moment, the Rev Juliette Hulme is the sole female representative on the army's chaplaincy team of 154. "We are currently up to strength, but we are looking for more men and women from any of the denominations that send chaplains," said Lynne Gammond, a spokesperson for the Royal Army Chaplains' Department.

In 2002, Juliette became the first female chaplain in the UK armed forces. She is scheduled for service in Iraq in November and is currently fronting a press advertising campaign.

As well as adventure, the ads promise an annual salary from £30,000. Watson, secretary to the Methodist Forces Board, stressed the need for chaplains to be physically fit to keep up with the men and women they serve.

Watson, a retired navy chaplain, feared that the increasing age of candidates for the ministry would be a problem for the army's recruitment campaign. Candidates were now typically in their forties while the average age of soldiers was 22.

"Once, chaplains had an elder brother image. Then we became father figures. There is no role for a grandfather figure," said Watson. "We want young, fit clergy - but everyone's after them."

During World War One, more chaplains were killed in action (179) than there are now chaplains in the British Army. There are currently 89 Anglican chaplains, 26 Roman Catholic, 20 Church of Scotland, 13 Methodist and six United Board (including Baptists and United Reformed Church) providing spiritual guidance to the 110,000 men and women in service.

The army does not have spiritual counsellors of other faiths serving in the field, but has advisers on call for Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. (ENI)

Youth ministry landmark in Belfast

The Northern Ireland Peace Process may have hit another stumbling block, but a Christian ministry is reporting continued success in its work in Belfast.

Ballysillan Youth for Christ recently celebrated 10 years of service in the city. Writing in Youth for Christ Northern Ireland's newsletter, Pete Thompson and Allan Grier, said: "The drop-in centres (Blue Houses) overcame many hurdles over the years: financial problems, theft, and vandalism to name a few. They offered many different youth services, but much of this has now been replaced by cross-community work and discipleship courses. The key to their success is the focus on relationships, formed out of love and understanding, and to show God's love through this.

" They have experienced many rough times ... but they have helped countless youths feel loved again, and those highs outweigh the downs by far."

'Winning women' to gather at conference

Thousands of women are set to gather at this year's international women's conference, Winning Women 2003, at Kingsway International Christian Centre.

Alongside host Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo, guest speakers are Africa's Funke Adejumo and the USA's Michele Jackson and Jackie McCullough. Grammy-nominated gospel artist Candi Staton will head the bill alongside KICC's choir and young adults' dance group Xprexxions.

The theme for Winning Women 2003, from 20 to 23 November, is Women Making A Difference. The conference will take place at KICC, 57 Waterden Road, Hackney, at 6.30pm every evening with additional daytime sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Further information is available from 0208 525 0000 or at www.kicc.org.uk

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.